to make changes to bankruptcy law and practice aimed at ensuring that the interests of debtors and creditors are better balanced, particularly in relation to: early discharge arrangements; effective sanctions on uncooperative bankrupts; and administration of bankruptcies by trustees. Also makes technical and machinery amendments and contains transitional provisions.

in relation to: remuneration of registered trustees administering bankrupt estates; civil penalties; Bankruptcy Districts; creditor’s petitions; the stay period that follows the filing of a declaration of intent to file a debtor’s petition; and the debt, income and assets test thresholds for debt agreements.

in relation to: monitoring and enforcement of security requirements at Australian borders; provision of certain information to Customs in relation to: people working in restricted areas or issued with security identification cards; and goods in-transit; examination and seizure of in-transit goods; electronic reporting of all mail cargo as part of a cargo report; access to airline computer reservation systems; authorisation of Customs officers; issue and use of firearms and personal defence equipment by Customs officers; powers of arrest in relation to assault or obstruction of Customs officers; and forfeiture of undeclared dutiable goods found in unaccompanied baggage;

The bill: requires the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to identify and contact a person’s next of kin when that person is in a foreign country and believed to be missing; provides for the department and its agencies to offer assistance in such circumstances; and requires the minister to report annually on the development and implementation of international agreements relating to Australian citizens believed to be missing overseas.

to provide the Australian Communications and Media Authority with planning and enforcement powers for the implementation of the re-stack of digital television channels and the realisation of digital dividend spectrum; and

Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005

,

Broadcasting Services Act 1992

,

Copyright Act 1968

and

Radiocommunications Act 1992

in relation to: the operation of the digital television services provided by the satellite service licensed under section 38C of the